Photographic developing apparatus.



APPLICATION TILED MAR. 19

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0., WASHINGTON. D. c.

H. B. TOBIAS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19, 1909.

Patented Sept. 9,1913.

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H. B. TOBIAS.

PHOTOGRAPHIG DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.19, 1909.

1,072,792. Patented Sept. 9, 1913.,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN B. TOIBIAS,

on NEW YORK, N. Y.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 19, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN B. Tomas, a subject of the King of l'toumania, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Photographic Developing Apparatus, and do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specifications, and to the referencenumbers marked thereon.

My present invention relates to an apparatus for developing flat form photographic film packages, of the class in which the films are separately exposed and then moved to a storage chamber contained in the package, from which they are subse quently removed for development, through the top oi said package, at present on the market, or through the top of an improved package as described in an application for Letters Patent filed March 19, 1909, Serial No. 484,456.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus compact, simple and cheap in construction, by the use of which the operator may mechanically extract from the pack and develop in daylight without resort to a dark room, the films of said package, properly subjecting them to the actions of the developing agencies. And it is also the purpose of this invention to keep the film plates separated and also to prevent the collection of air bells upon said film plates while undergoing treatment.

In carrying out my invention I provide a stationary tank, open at the upper end, with means upon its bottom for holding the ack in position having flanges at its open end to receive corresponding grooves in a. cover hereinafter called a collar having a rectangular opening therein, with light eliminati means, adapted to engage the sides of a vertically movable receptacle telescopically entering the stationary tank. Said movable receptacle has a bottom provided with a flanged opening and a shutter automatically closing said opening, also shelves for sustaining a series of flexible film holding clips and a cover with means of engaging said clips and curving them in such a manner as to stifi'en and separate the film plates.

he invention further consists of certain Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

Serial No. 484,455.

devices in construction of parts hereinafter fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sec tional view of the developing apparatus taken on the line ll Fig. 2 loo-king in the .direct-ion of the arrow and showing the clips for holding the films, also in dotted lines the position of the film pack and film tabs when attached ready for extraction from package. Fig. 2 represents a transverse sectional view of the developing ap para'tus taken on the line 22 Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow, and not to confuse the drawing the clips are shown removed except one. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the underside of the top cover,

showing the means for curving the clips.

Fig. at is a perspective view of the bottom of the movable receptacle, showing the automatic shutter, also the collar encircling the receptacle, a portion being bro-ken away to show the guiding plate of the shutter and its release tongues. Fig. 5 is a perspective sectional view from the line 55 Fig. 2 showing the clip Sustaining shelf within the movable receptacle. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the stand for holding the film package within the stationary tank. Fig. 7 is a section through the clip showing the manner of attaching the tab of the film plate to same. Fig. 8 is a section through the clip showing the position of the film plate in its second or curved position ready for development. Fig. 9 shows an elevation of the collar and the elastic catchplate engaging same. Fig. 10 shows a section through my improved film package with films before extraction at. a and with films partly extracted at b Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a part of the top of the film package.

At 12 is shown a rectangular receptacle, its bottom being closed by a plate 13 which has a flanged opening 13 provided to allow the passage of the film pack stand. The edges 13? of said bottom plate are turned upward to allow easy adjustment of said plate which by soldering is made integral with the rectangular receptacle. The projecting parts 13 and 13 are provided as a stop for the receptacle in its upward movement.

A shutter 14 is provided with pressed edges on three sides as shown to correspond with the flanges around the opening of the bottom. Integral with said shutter are guide pins 15 which by their friction against inclined guide plates 16 eflect the opening of the shutter. Said shutter is kept open by the spring hooks 17 that engage the edges 13, said spring hooks being integral with said shutter. On the opposite side of the spring hooks, tongues 18 bent as shown hold spiral springs 19, the opposite end of said springs being held by other tongues 20 provided in the bottom plate at the edge 13.

The unbent side 14 of the shutter 14 is received when closing in a recess shown at 21 which is formed by flange 13 and a plate 22 of the term shown on the drawing and which is soldered to the bottom at the ends 22 and 22 Said plate acts also as a holder for the shutter keeping it in parallel alinement with the bottom 13 and constantly in engagement with the flanges of the bottom opening insuring against the entrance of light through same.

The collar encircling the movable receptacle is formed of two pressed pieces 23 and 24 as shown, forming at their upper part a quarter circular space in cross section adapted to receive within it a resilient material 25 preferably rubber which by its contact with the surface of the movablereceptacle eliminates light from within the tank when the receptacle is raised or lowered. The lower plate 24 of the collar is provided with a groove 26 which correspondingly fits the flanges 27 of the stationary tank 28 thus further eliminating light from said tank, also with flanges 24 that are provided to re ceive the upper plate 23 and by soldering be made integral therewith.

Integral with the collar plate 24 are two downward projecting plates 29 provided to keep the receptacle in a vertical alinement. Downward projecting tongues 30 are also provided in collar plate 24 for the release of spring hooks 17 when same reach the under side of said collar. Shutter guide plates 16 are pivoted to downward projecting tongues 31, also integral with lower plate 24 of the collar. Projecting pins 32 are also provided in plate 24 at two of the sides of said collar, said pins entering holes in elastic catch-plate 9 Fig. 9 which serve to hold the collar fast to the tank.

Near the upper part of the receptacle 12, shelves 34 are provided, having three walls as shown to allow easy adjustment of the same before being soldered and it is also provided with slots 35 for the reception of the clips. The clips are held in said holes by metal bands 36 having tongues 36 projecting underneath said shelves and having integral therewith springs 37 that rest against tongues 38 projecting downward and integral with the clip supporting shelves 34. As will be seen the bands 36, which are to be of spring metal, will by aid of springs 37 be held against the inward projecting portion of the film clips, keeping them from sliding out of slots 35.

The clip is shown in Fig. 1 as made of an elastic steel band or other elastic metal 39, with slots 39 provided lengthwise therein to allow the passage of the film assuring it against slipping as would be the case with ordinary spring clips. This form of clip will also allow flexibility. The end parts of said clips project upward in such a manner as to bring their lower side 39 in the same line with the upper sides of the body clips 39 forming an axis which will tend to keep said edges 39 in the same position regardless of the inclination of said clips and thereby allow their being easily engaged by the curving device hereinafter described. The extremities of said clip project downward and inward, making an angle which will allow the band 36 to engage it and also allow the easy insertion and extraction of said clip from the slots 35. Theopen upper end of the receptacle will allow the easy arrangement of the clips, after the package is set in the stand provided therefor. The edges of said opening are flanged as shown at 40 to be received by corresponding grooves 41 provided in cover 42 to eliminate light.

At the center of the cover a circular depression 43 is made to fit a corresponding circular groove in knob 44. The knob as shown is a circular disk with a vertical projecting portion 44 adapted to be easily grasped by the fingers and with a downward projecting pin 45 upon which is riveted a cam wheel 46 adapted to transform the circular movement of the knob into a rectilinear movement of the teeth carrying saddle 47 and thereby causing the curving of the clips by shifting its center. The teeth carrying saddle 47 has four projecting arms 43 that slide in a grooved track plate 49, and has also in addition to the downward projecting teeth 50 two projecting portions 51 upon its upper side, said portions being engaged by the cam wheel in its action. The track plate 49 is shown having at the end of its grooved tracks 49*"- downward bent tongues 49 that retain the saddle on the grooved track. The track plate is also provided with depressions 49 that fit corresponding depressions in the cover 42, said depressions allowing easy adjustment of the track plate before soldering. To allow the adjustment of the track plate after the cam wheel has been riveted, a circular hole 49 is cut in its center. Y

The stationary tank 28 which is of a rectangular form has upon its bottom a rectangular depression upon which a similar plate 28 is soldered but so pressed as to form at its two ends recesses as shown in Fig. 6, said recesses are for the reception of the projecting tongues 53 of the film pack stand, which is shown as having a bottom plate 54 with projecting pins at its ends that enter holes in the side walls 55 of said stand. The side walls 55 are integral with the tongues 58 and have projecting hooks for engaging the paper package, after its insertion within said side walls.

To allow a good grip of the receptacle when raised or lowered two finger plates 57 are riveted to two sides of the receptacle near its upper end as shown in Fig. 2.

My improved package adapted to be developed in this apparatus is shown in Fig. 10 as formed of a casing 58; divided into two parallel compartments 59 and 60. The rear compartment 60, has a back plate 61 that supports the septum 62 and integral with this back plate are flexible stop tongues (i1 that act as a stop for the shoulder 63 of the film plate when same is drawn in the storage compartment 60. Said tongues 61 are further assisted in stopping the films by the end 6%, which is a continuation of the front 58 of the casing, and which is secured at the upper corners of the package by pieces of paper 6d as shown in Fig. 11. To extract the films from this improved package no extra mechanical means are needed, except those contained in the pack age itself, for as will be seen by tearing the paper 64: along the line 65 shown in Fig. 11-, the end 64: is released and allowed to swing around the scored corner, when all the films may be pulled. Said pulling will also cause the stop tongues 61 which are of very thin soft metal to bend against the back plate 61 allowing a free passage for the films.

My invention is used as follows: The package stand is set in place upon the bottom of the stationary tank by sliding it sidewise in the recesses 52. The collar is set in place, and when the movable receptacle 12 is lowered, the shutter pins 15 engage the guide plates 16 effecting the opening of the shutter 14, which is held open by the spring hooks 1T, engaging the side 13 of the bottom 13. The cover 42 is then removed and the clips 39 after their removal are attached to the projectingtabs of the improved film package. The package with the clips attached is then inserted in the side walls 55 of the pack stand, being held firmly by hooks The piece 64* of paper is torn along the line 65, thereby allowing the ex traction of the films from the package as before described. The clips in their turn are inserted in the slots in their order. The cover 452 is then applied and by this action the teeth enter the spaces between the clips assuring their engagement. After the cover has been applied the movable receptacle is pulled half way out, the knob 4:4;

is turned a half revolution, thereby shifting the center of the clip, causing the curvature of the film as shown in Fig. 8. In this posi tion, the receptacle is now entirely extracted from the stationary tank and the spring hooks 17 upon striking the tongues 30 on the underside of the collar are released thereby, causing with the aid of the spiral springs 19 the closing of the shutter, and thus prevent the entrance of light through the bottom opening. The film-loaded receptacle and collar may now be removed to allow the extraction of the empty package and its stand from the tank and of filling said tank with the necessary solutions. The collar is again applied, the receptacle is lowered, and in doing so, the shutter pins 15 slide against the guide plates 16, thus again opening the shutter and admitting the liquids to the receptacle. The above actions can be repeated as many times as necessary to allow proper development, the films at all times being protected against actinic rays.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have invented a photographic developing apparatus possessing many advantageous features, for as will be seen the apparatus is thoroughly light-proof in its construction, it being impossible for any actinic rays to pass through the several flanged. and other joints. It will also be seen that the position assumed by the film through the curving of the clip will insure enough stiffness in said films to keep them separated and through the raising and lowering of the film carrying receptacle, the small quantity of liquid can be played upon the films, thereby removing whatever air bells may collect upon said films. I therefore wish it to be understood that I am not desirous to be restricted to the exact details of construction shown and described as obvious modifications will suggest them selves to one skilled in the art of its manufacture, and therefore any modified construction that will extract and mechanically curve the films for development will come within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a developing apparatus, the combination of a stationary tank, means connected with said tank for holding within the same a package of films and its stand, a collar mounted upon said tank and provided with means for excluding light from the latter, a receptacle encircled by said collar and removable therewith from said tank, a shutter carried by said receptacle, means controllable by the moving of said receptacle for opening and closing said shutter,

and means connected with said receptacle for holding the films in position and curving them for development.

2. In a developing apparatus the combination of a tank with means for holding the pack in position, flanged edges at its open end engaging corresponding grooves in a collar, said collar holding within it a band of resilient material that encircles and frictionally engages the sides of a movable receptacle with suitable means for holding and curving film plates for development.

I 3. In a developing apparatus, a movable receptacle, with means for holding and curving films for developement, telescopically entering a stationary tank, with means for holding a package in position, through a collar with resilient means for eliminating light from the stationary tank.

4. In a developing apparatus, a movable receptacle, with means for holding film plates, telescopically entering through a light proof collar, a stationary tank, having a pack stand removably upon its bottom, said pack stand having a bottom plate hinged to Walls for the reception of film packs and hooks in said walls for engaging the sides of the package and tongues integral with said walls entering the recesses on the bottom of the tank.

5. In a developing apparatus, a movable receptacle with means for holding and curving film plates and with an automatic shutter upon its bottom, telescopically entering a stationary tank, with means for holding a film pack in position, through a cover of the tank provided with a resilient section between its plates adapted to engage the sides of the receptacle and eliminate light therefrom.

6. In a developing apparatus, a rectangular receptacle with means for holding and curving films, a collar frictionally engaging same, said collar having downward projecting plates for the vertical alinement of the receptacle, downward projecting tongues for the release of the bottom shutter of the receptacle and tongues sustaining suitable guide plates for opening the bottom shutter of the receptacle; and a tank with means for holding a package in position.

7. In a developing apparatus the combination with a rectangular stationary tank and a light proof collar covering same, of a movable receptacle with means near its upper end for holding films, means uponits cover for curving clips, and means upon its bottom for automatically opening and closing a flanged opening in said bottom by the aid of suitable guide plates hinged to the underside of the collar.

8. In a developing apparatus, the combination with a rectangular stationary tank and a light proof collar covering same, of a movable receptacle, with means for holding films, vertically sliding within said col- 'lar and tank, said receptacle having a flanged opening upon its bottom, a shutter actuated by springs covering said opening, hooksintegral with said shutter to maintain same open, pins integral with said shutter to cooperate with guiding plates in opening said shutter, and a plate forming a light proof recess for the shutter on one side of the opening, acting also as a guide for the shutter in keeping it in parallel alinement with the bottom of the receptacle.

9. I11 a developing apparatus, the combination of a tank, a collar for covering the same, a receptacle extending through said collar into said tank but removable with said collar from said tank, a shutter carried by said receptacle, means controllable by the moving of said receptacle for open-.

ing and closing said shutter, shelves carried by said receptacle and provided with slots for holding film clips, tongues and plates carried by said shelves and adapted to engage said clips, and means carried by said receptacle for curving the films during their development.

10. In a photographic developing apparatus, the combination of a stationary tank, a collar covering same, a receptacle with an automatic shutter upon its bottom entering the tank through said collar, shelves near the upper end of the receptacle supporting clips formed of elastic bands with slots provided lengthwise therein for receiving the film tabs and having their ends projecting upward and inward so as to form resting parts for the clip, on the same axis with the top of the body clip also notches to be engaged by the elastic bands on the shelves; and means in the cover of the receptacle for engaging and curving the clips.

11. In a photographic developing apparatus, a stationary tank,'a movable receptacle with shelves for holding clips and an automatic shutter on its bottom entering saidtank through a light proof collar, a removable cover at the upper end of the receptacle having a grooved track plate upon it, carrying with the aid of suitable arms, a saddle with teeth upon its bottom for en gaging the film clips and projecting pins on top provided to be engaged by a cam wheel, a knob on the exterior of the cover with light proofing means having a pin extending to the interior of the receptacle and carrying the cam wheel, said cam wheel being provided to transform the circular movement of the exterior knob into a rectilinear movement ofthe teeth carrying saddle thereby shifting the center of the clips.

12. In a developing apparatus a tank with meansfor holding a package in position, a collar covering said tank and frictionally engaging the sides of a movable receptacle telescoping with said tank and having an automatic closing bottom, shelves for sustaining clips, clips for holding film In testimony whereof I have signed my plates, mechanism for curving said clips by name to this specification in the presence of shifting their center and thereby stiffen the two subscribing Witnesses.

films, finger plates on the exterior of the re- HERMANN B. TOBIAS. 5 ceptacle and elastic catchp1ates 0n the eX- Witnesses:

terior of the stationary tank engaging the CHAS. F. A. HALL collar. L. PEROIVAL SINCLAIR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

